An evaluation by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed 100-percent video analytic accuracy of the SightLogix SightSensor thermal camera system in the challenging environment typical of many airports.

According to the TSA’s final report, the “evaluation team performed over 900 scenarios of which every alarm instance was accurately reported” on the SightLogix perimeter security system.

“Achieving effective outdoor security comes down to detection accuracy, intrusion assessment, and solution cost,” said John Romanowich, president and CEO, SightLogix. “This TSA test validates that the selection requirements have been met and can be replicated at other airport perimeters.”

Buffalo airport officials also report cost savings with the SightLogix video analytics solution compared to competing technologies based upon SightLogix’ longer range coverage, reducing the number of poles, trenching and communications. The use of Thermal SightSensors enables detection of intrusions even in complete darkness, removing the additional costs otherwise needed for illumination.

Additionally, the TSA reports that “SightSensor target tracking capabilities were available and 100 percent functional throughout the evaluation period.” Integrating the SightSensors into the existing video management system was “smooth and without issue,” the TSA reports.

During the week of March 7-11, 2011, TSA evaluators conducted 900 test scenarios to challenge the SightLogix system throughout several regions of the Buffalo Airport protected by Thermal SightSensors.

The TSA report states that “each alarm prompted the system to display the alarm video, location information, nearest camera reference numbers, date and time, and an audible alarm signal.”

The SightLogix system included Thermal SightSensor video analytics cameras for detecting and tracking intrusions over large areas and SightTracker PTZ controllers to automatically steer Pelco cameras to zoom and follow detected targets. Fixed Thermal SightSensors were installed to protect critical regions of the perimeter and to provide automated monitoring to detect people or vehicles moving from the public side toward the runway. Cameras were positioned to provide additional surveillance across multiple access gates and portions of the perimeter that are adjacent to public roadways. Video and alarm data was networked to a central monitoring station via fiber-optic cable.